sets 1 of 2

present tense third-person singular of set
1
as in spawns
to cover and warm eggs as the young inside develop the hen set for days

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Relevance
2
3
4
as in sits
chiefly dialect to rest on the buttocks or haunches come over and set for a spell

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

5
as in aims
to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal determined to see the West, she set her car towards the sun and drove off

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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sets

2 of 2

noun

plural of set
1
as in factions
a group of people acting together within a larger group the younger set is less likely to volunteer for the church's annual rummage sale

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3
4
5
as in decors
the array of painted backgrounds and furnishings used to establish the setting in a stage production built sets for the play

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sets
Verb
Exhausting the fund potentially sets the stage for a similar situation in December if the shutdown isn’t resolved by then. Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 3 Nov. 2025 Knueppel, whose 24-point performance sets his career-high through seven NBA games, created opportunities off the ball and found open space. Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 3 Nov. 2025 Its transparent pricing, with no contracts, data caps or hidden fees, sets it apart from many competitors. Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025 In a sneak peek video into Season 12, the cast of employees at Lisa Vanderpump’s restaurant sets the stage for some dramatic pumping, partying, and picking sides. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2025 The bottom crust is what really sets Easy Skillet Apple Pie apart. Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2025 His office sets requirements for, and does evaluations of, all the different modeling and analysis systems the Weather Service uses. Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 2 Nov. 2025 Friday will be a pleasant day with the high temperature near 60 degrees, however, temperatures will quickly dip in the evening after the sun sets, the forecast shows. Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 31 Oct. 2025 This detail sets the stage for potential conflict upon Morgan's return, particularly raising the possibility of unfinished business and a future feud with Roxanne Perez over her spot in the faction. Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
Another bin can be for guest linens or seasonal sheet sets. Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Nov. 2025 Repeat 10-12 reps for three sets. Leoni Jesner, Health, 1 Nov. 2025 Items include organic cotton tops starting at $48, cashmere lounge sets with T-shirts priced $158, sweaters priced at $258, joggers for $288, washable silk sleepwear separates starting at $98, and sherpa slippers priced at $148. David Moin, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2025 However, both sets of remains could share the same plot, niche, crypt or vault. Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 31 Oct. 2025 That includes the screen, as well as a series of shortcut button sets, a knob, and dual sliders. Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 31 Oct. 2025 This year’s Harvest Moon concert also featured sets from Beck, John Mayer, and Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts. Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2025 Other figures include handmade chess sets, religious figurines like the Virgin of Guadalupe and skulls made to resemble calaveras, or sugar skulls, which are a symbol tied to Day of the Dead. Alyssa N. Salcedo, jsonline.com, 25 Oct. 2025 Those are skill-sets that Chicago could use. Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sets
Verb
  • Koch’s vile conduct spawns a number of unnecessary fantasy sequences either brought on by the comics or wholly imagined by Ed.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Corteva, a stronghold seed and pesticide provider in the Indiana agriculture space, will be no more next year as the northwest side company rebrands and spawns its seed business.
    Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Stocked with 24 whole-leaf teas that beckon to be opened and enjoyed each day of December before Christmas, the set itself doubles as an objet d’art that will beautify the kitchen, bedroom, or wherever else its recipient chooses to park it for the month.
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2025
  • That rigidity probably explains why Gospodinov chooses, against all evidence, to call the book a novel.
    James Wood, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Charania reports the deal values the franchise at $10 billion.
    Tom Tapp, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2025
  • But Cyrus, unlike Lee, values self-preservation above the truth.
    Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Despite being in just his eighth season in Toronto, Tavares already sits 13th in franchise history in goals.
    Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Brown is running against Redford for the Zone 3 seat, which sits generally east of Eagle Road and south of Chinden on the Meridian-Boise border.
    Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Among VenApp users who support the government’s aims is a resident of a slum on the outskirts of Caracas who spoke anonymously, fearing government retaliation for speaking to a foreign journalist and retribution from neighbors who oppose Maduro.
    Stefano Pozzebon, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Pivotal recall election on ballot in Mesa Voters in parts of Mesa will decide a historic recall election that aims to remove a sitting council member in favor of a political newcomer.
    Stephanie Innes, AZCentral.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Sympathetic, apparently, to Geralt’s quest to save Ciri, Regis decides to join the gang on the road — though a closing shot of Regis privately savoring the scent of Geralt’s blood on a cloth raises some troubling questions for the show to answer down the road.
    Scott Meslow, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Summary judgment, where the court decides which claims go to trial, will provide a clearer picture.
    Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Its corner ties secures it to your duvet cover and the box stitching ensures the filling stays evenly distributed throughout.
    Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The platform secures customer models and data for exclusive use, making sure sensitive information stays within the company.
    IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • That will be especially difficult given that Ruby tends to push aside anything that puts her in a negative light.
    Alamin Yohannes, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
  • While the dry upland habitat loss puts stress on swamp rabbit populations, the loss and drainage of wetlands also poses a challenge for the struggling rabbits.
    Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 29 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sets. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.

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